As we say goodbye to one year and hello to another, many of us are thinking of ways to improve ourselves in 2017. Just like any other year, spending less and saving more will be popular choices amongst Canadians. Creating household budgets we actually follow, on the other hand, can be a challenge. We usually have the best intentions, but somewhere along the way we lose our convictions. By spring, we’ve totally given up on our fiscal ambitions. If you’re tired of letting yourself down, it’s time to break the pattern and stick with your New Year’s resolution. Keep reading to learn small tips that can have a profound effect on your success!

1. Get Help With Your Budget
You can’t cut out unnecessary purchases without first knowing where your money is going. A budget is an essential tool to itemize every dollar that comes and goes from your bank account. If you have no idea where to start with a budget, don’t worry! Most people don’t. You can find some help online from free with apps like Mint and Level Money. You’ll have to give these apps permission to see your accounts, but once you do, they’ll make an inventory of your finances and suggest practical ways to make your first successful financial plan.

2. Start Making Lists
They don’t call him the Big Guy for nothing; Santa, with his lists that he checks twice, knows what he’s doing. By writing down what you need before you head to the grocery store, you’ll stick to only those aisles you need to visit. Once you cut out some of the more dangerous aisles of processed products, you can stick to a thrifty meal plan and reduce accidental food waste.

3. Use Payday Loans To Your Advantage
Keeping to our budgets and lists are excellent ways to keep our costs low, but they work their best when everything goes as we expect them to. As you’re well aware, life rarely unfolds the way you’d think, so it should come as no surprise to have to pay for items, bills, and repairs you didn’t plan on in your budget. If you ever run into a cash flow problem, the financiers at GoDay have your solution. Their online payday loans help you bridge the gap with short term assistance starting at $100. Their payday loans offer a quick and convenient way to cover these surprise additions to your budget when money is tight.

4. Kick The Habit
Spending less isn’t the only thing Canadians want to do in the New Year. For health reasons, plenty of individuals will be hoping to quit smoking. If you feel ambitious, combining multiple resolutions can help you save more. The government’s willing to do the calculations for you, but according to Time, this particular vice can end up costing a lifelong smoker $1–2 million! There’s no doubt that quitting is hard, but perhaps the thought of how much you’ll save will convince you to butt out.

We’ve all been guilty of giving up on our resolutions, but when your goals are as important as your finances, it’s important that you stick with them. Make it easier for yourself by following these simple steps. They can ease the burden you feel in the New Year as you tackle your financial goals for 2017.